field mouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “field mouse” mean?
a small rodent, typically brown or grey, with large eyes and long tail, living in fields and rural grasslands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a small rodent, typically brown or grey, with large eyes and long tail, living in fields and rural grasslands
any small mouse inhabiting open country rather than buildings; sometimes used metaphorically for something small, timid, or rural
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'field mouse' is a standard term for Apodemus sylvaticus. In American English, 'field mouse' is a general common name for various small rodents in fields; precise species (deer mouse, meadow vole) are often specified.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with British countryside and hedgerows. US: Less specific, often implies a pest in agricultural contexts.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English; in US, 'deer mouse' or 'meadow vole' are often more precise technical terms.
Grammar
How to Use “field mouse” in a Sentence
[The/ A] field mouse [verb: scurried, nests, eats]Field mice [plural verb: are, have, live]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “field mouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cat attempted to field-mouse the rodent, but it escaped.
adjective
British English
- The field-mouse population has declined.
American English
- We set up field-mouse traps around the crop perimeter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Potentially in agricultural pest control contexts.
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, zoology texts.
Everyday
Used in countryside discussions, gardening, nature observation.
Technical
Used in species identification, ecological surveys, wildlife management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “field mouse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “field mouse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “field mouse”
- Using 'field mouse' for any mouse seen outdoors (could be a house mouse).
- Misspelling as 'fieldmouse' (correct as two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Voles are stockier, with shorter tails and rounded faces, and belong to a different subfamily. 'Field mouse' usually refers to true mice (Muridae).
It is possible if they are truly wild species of open habitats, but they are more likely to be house mice. The term is best reserved for rural contexts.
The standard plural is 'field mice'.
Compounding in English is inconsistent. 'Field mouse' remains an open compound, likely because the stress pattern (primary stress on 'field') differs from a true closed compound like 'blackbird' (stress on 'black').
a small rodent, typically brown or grey, with large eyes and long tail, living in fields and rural grasslands.
Field mouse is usually formal, scientific in register.
Field mouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfiːld ˌmaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfild ˌmaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As timid as a field mouse”
- “A field mouse in a lion's den (metaphor for vulnerability)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FIELD = land; MOUSE = rodent. A mouse that lives in fields, not houses.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL/TIMID IS A FIELD MOUSE (e.g., 'She was a field mouse in the boardroom.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction of a 'field mouse'?